Hu Shih
Hu Shih (1891–1962) was a Chinese philosopher, essayist, and diplomat whose advocacy for vernacular Chinese, liberalism, and pragmatic reform helped shape modern Chinese intellectual life. Explore his life, ideas, influence, and memorable sayings.
Introduction
Hu Shih (Chinese: 胡適; pinyin: Hú Shì; December 17, 1891 – February 24, 1962) is one of the towering intellectuals of 20th-century China. He played a key role in the New Culture Movement, championed the use of vernacular (spoken) Chinese in literature, and promoted a pragmatic, liberal approach to cultural and political reform. His vision attempted to bridge Chinese tradition and modern thought, advocating gradual reform instead of violent revolution. Over time, his ideas provoked controversy, influence, rejection, and reevaluation — leaving a complex and enduring legacy.
In what follows, we trace his early life, intellectual formation, major works and ideas, and present some of his most memorable quotes and lessons.
Early Life and Family
Hu Shih was born in Shanghai on December 17, 1891, into a family with roots in Anhui province.
Tragically, his father died around 1895, when Hu was about three years old, leaving his mother, Feng Shundi (馮順弟), to raise him.
In his early schooling, Hu received a classical education — studying Confucian texts, poetry, and classical Chinese forms. However, he also became exposed to modern ideas, Western texts, and English language learning, which would influence the direction of his later work.
Youth, Education & Intellectual Formation
Studying in the United States
In 1910, Hu Shih was awarded a Boxer Indemnity Scholarship (funded by U.S. remitted indemnities) that allowed him to study abroad. Cornell University, initially intending to study agriculture, but eventually shifted to literature, philosophy, and liberal arts. At Cornell, he was chosen for Phi Beta Kappa, reflecting his academic excellence.
Later, Hu went to Columbia University in New York, where he studied philosophy. There, he encountered the ideas of John Dewey, whose pragmatism deeply influenced Hu’s thinking about knowledge, method, and reform. “The Development of Logical Method in Ancient China,” aiming to blend Chinese intellectual tradition and modern critical method.
Hu’s exposure to Western philosophical currents, his study of Dewey, and his interest in synthesis between Eastern and Western thought would shape his later reformist agenda.
Return to China & Early Reform Advocacy
After completing his studies, Hu returned to China in 1917 and became a professor of philosophy at Peking University (Beida / Peita). He quickly distinguished himself as a reform-minded intellectual engaged in debates about language, literature, politics, and the future of China.
At this time, China was in intellectual ferment. The fall of the Qing dynasty (1911) had ushered in decades of upheaval, warlordism, and cultural uncertainty. The New Culture Movement (mid-1910s through the 1920s) sought to challenge the hold of classical Confucian culture, promote science, democracy, and new literary forms. Hu became a central voice in that movement.
In April 1918, Hu published a landmark essay “On the Literary Revolution” (《文学改良刍议》), where he argued for replacing the classical written style (文言) with vernacular (白话) writing as the language of modern literature. He laid out key guidelines: writing with substance, not imitating the ancients, respecting grammar, rejecting melancholy, and giving voice to the people. vernacular Chinese (口语 / 白话文) was transformative: it made literature and ideas more accessible to the masses and broke the monopoly of classical elites.
Career, Influence & Political Roles
Institutional Roles & Public Offices
Over his lifetime, Hu Shih assumed various academic and diplomatic roles:
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From 1938 to 1942, he served as the Chinese Ambassador to the United States under the Nationalist government (Kuomintang).
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After World War II, he became Chancellor (President) of Peking University from 1946 to 1948.
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Later, in Taiwan, he served as President of Academia Sinica (the premier academic institution) from 1957 until his death in 1962.
Throughout these roles, he continued writing essays, engaging in public debate, and advocating for liberal reform, cultural openness, and intellectual freedom.
Intellectual & Cultural Contributions
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Language Reform & Literary Revolution
Perhaps Hu’s most lasting legacy lies in the transformation of Chinese literature and language. His advocacy made vernacular Chinese the dominant medium for modern literature, journalism, education, and thought, replacing the highly formal classical language. This change was pivotal in democratizing literacy, expanding readership, and modernizing Chinese intellectual life. -
Pragmatism, Method, and Skepticism
Drawing on Dewey’s pragmatism, Hu emphasized experimental inquiry, provisional hypotheses, and critical thinking. He believed theories are tools, not eternal truths, and must be tested against experience. yùyòng zhǔyì) and sought to instill an empirical, critical spirit among Chinese scholars. -
Liberalism & Political Reform
Hu was a consistent champion of liberalism, individual rights, constitutionalism, and democracy — in contrast to revolutionary or authoritarian models. -
Critique & Reassessment
In later years, Hu’s ideas faced criticism from Marxist and Communist scholars, especially in mainland China. During the Mao era, his liberalism and his critiques of authoritarianism were marginalized or attacked. -
Bridging Tradition and Modernity
Hu did not reject Chinese tradition outright; rather, he sought to reinterpret and adapt it for the modern world. He believed in critical engagement — old ideas should be tested and reformed, not discarded wholesale. This balanced approach set him apart from radicals who saw tradition as wholly corrupt.
Personality, Style & Traits
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Curiosity and Intellectual Courage: Hu was willing to challenge entrenched orthodoxies (in literature, culture, politics) and push for new paths.
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Moderation, Incrementalism & Reformist Temperament: Unlike revolutionaries, Hu favored gradual change, not violent upheaval.
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Bridge-building & Synthesis: He attempted to balance Chinese and Western thought, combining method with context.
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Respect for Doubt & Open Inquiry: He held that certainty is rare and ideas must remain contestable.
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Public Engagement & Literary Voice: He was a prolific essayist, writing for broad audiences, not just academic elites.
Famous Quotes of Hu Shih
Here are several notable quotes attributed to Hu Shih that reflect his worldview, particularly regarding culture, language, knowledge, and change:
“The classical language, so long dead, can never be the medium of a living literature of a living nation; the future literature of China must be written in the living language of the people.”
“It is only through contact and comparison that the relative value or worthlessness of the various cultural elements can be clearly and critically seen and understood.”
“Another important historical factor is the fact that this already very simple religion was further simplified and purified by the early philosophers of ancient China. Our first great philosopher was a founder of naturalism; and our second great philosopher was an agnostic.”
“On July 26, 1916, I announced to all my friends in America that from now on I resolved to write no more poems in the classical language, and to begin my experiments in writing poetry in the so-called vulgar tongue of the people.”
“And revolutions always mean the breakdown of old authority.”
“Only when we realize that there is no eternal, unchanging truth or absolute truth can we arouse in ourselves a sense of intellectual responsibility.”
“What is sacred among one people may be ridiculous in another; and what is despised or rejected by one cultural group, may in a different environment become the cornerstone for a great edifice of strange grandeur and beauty.”
“India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.”
These excerpts illustrate his beliefs in cultural exchange, the relativity of values, the necessity of language reform, and skepticism toward dogma.
Lessons from Hu Shih’s Intellectual Legacy
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Language Shapes Thought & Society
Hu’s push for vernacular Chinese shows how medium and form influence not only literature but who can participate in intellectual life. Reforming language can be a path to democratizing ideas. -
Method Matters More Than Dogma
His pragmatic, empirical attitude teaches that ideas should be tested, revised, or discarded — not sacred. Intellectual humility is central. -
Reform Over Revolution
In many societies, upheaval carries high cost. Hu’s commitment to gradual reform offers an alternative route to modernization and change. -
Cultural Synthesis, Not Rejection
Change does not always require throwing away tradition; selective, critical adaptation can honor heritage while embracing innovation. -
Public Intellectual Responsibility
Hu engaged openly in public discourse. His role as an essayist, critic, educator — not just a closed scholar — shows the importance of intellectuals connecting with society.
Conclusion
Hu Shih remains a pivotal figure in modern Chinese intellectual history. As a philosopher, critic, diplomat, and reformer, he championed vernacular language, pragmatism, liberal values, and cultural openness. His legacy is complex: during periods of political suppression, his ideas were sidelined; later, they were revived and reappraised. Today, Hu’s work continues to inspire those who believe in the power of ideas, the need for critical thinking, and the possibility of bridging tradition and modernity.